Prosecution Brought By Trading Standards Results In Two Convictions For No1 Home Improvements Ltd

On the 1st of February 2017, No1 Home Improvements Ltd, registered office 4 High Street, Pontardawe, Swansea, trading from Unit 10, Seaway Drive, Seaway Parade Industrial Estate, Baglan, were found guilty of a misleading action in breach of the Consumer protection Regulations 2008. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A salesman of No1 Home Improvements stated to an elderly consumer from Merthyr Tydfil that he would not require planning permission for his desired conservatory. This incorrect and misleading statement induced that consumer to enter into a contract with No1 Home Improvements in order for the company to build a particular sized conservatory which he would not have done had the statement not been made. Following trial, a fine of £7500 was imposed by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates court. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

On the 1st of February, 2017, No1 Home Improvements Ltd were also found guilty of obstruction of a duly authorised officer of Trading Standards in breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. No1 Home Improvements failed to provide correctly requested documentation. A fine of £500 was imposed by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates court. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In addition costs of £1,771.68 were awarded to the Local Authority, Compensation for the consumer of £300 and a Victim Surcharge of £120. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Lyndsey Jones, Fair Trading Officer and Investigating Officer in this case, said: “It is vitally important that businesses are accurate and truthful in all dealings with consumers. By giving inaccurate information or withholding important information businesses run the risk of committing criminal offences which may have serious penalties on conviction. It is core part of consumer protection legislation that the consumer should be able to rely on and trust all information provided by a business.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Chris Barry, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services & Public Protection, said: “Consumers in Merthyr Tydfil can be assured that Trading Standards will investigate and where appropriate, prosecute breaches of consumer legislation which disadvantage consumers. This not only protects consumers, but also supports businesses that are operating within the law.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​